When asked about if his relationship, whatever it may be, with President Donald Trump was viewed as a potential distraction to the team or in the locker room, Jones said that while he is ‘a friend’ of the president the two sides differ on ‘many, many issues.’ He added that he ‘can’t afford’ to side with one political view as it will likely anger a segment of fans and/or players of the opposing view, and thus tends to remain apolitical.

Hold on there, Cowboy.

Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas he is friends with President Donald Trump but he disagrees with him… https://t.co/kTupHmC5ok

As ESPN’s Todd Archer points out in this tweet, Jones was one of seven NFL owners to donate $1 million to Trump’s Inaugural Committee. He is also clearly in agreement with the president on at least one view, as Jones didn’t back down from his statements that any Cowboys player that protests during the National Anthem will sit. Jones said that he views the NFL’s game operating manual policy about standing for the national anthem as a rule, and that he made that stance clear to the players before their demonstration in Arizona.

While that demonstration was before the anthem, Jones referred to it as a ‘kneeling prayer’ in the interview and believed it was acceptable because it was before the anthem. He added that Cowboys defensive ends David Irving and Damontre Moore weren’t active for the Arizona game (Moore actually was) and that is why they were unclear on the situation regarding the anthem.

Jerry: I want the players to have the ammunition to be able to tell others if I don't stand, then I don't get to play

Jones also used the phrase ‘workplace issue’ several times during the interview, saying that he gave the ultimatum so that the players would be able to tell others they weren’t kneeling because of their workplace restrictions. He added that he hoped the conversation about the issue would have died down by now, and that his statement to the team would help douse the flames.

Instead, Jones appears to have dumped more fuel on the fire.

Jerry on @1053thefan – “I don’t want our fans to have to sit there and have angst over issues. The flag comes ahead of all issues."

While Jones may think he’s doing the right thing by trying to drag the Cowboys out of the conversation when it comes to anthem protests, his recent remarks are not doing him any favors. It’s time for Jones to step out of the spotlight with the rest of the team for the week and take advantage of the bye week to improve.

Maybe they should take a trip to Cabo.

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